Naming of Names by Ray Bradbury A study guide prepared by Ms. Patricia Lai Burrows.

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Naming of Names Naming of Names by Ray Bradbury by Ray Bradbury A study guide prepared by A study guide prepared by Ms. Patricia Lai Burrows Ms. Patricia Lai Burrows

Transcript of Naming of Names by Ray Bradbury A study guide prepared by Ms. Patricia Lai Burrows.

Naming of Names Naming of Names by Ray Bradburyby Ray Bradbury

A study guide prepared by A study guide prepared by

Ms. Patricia Lai BurrowsMs. Patricia Lai Burrows

The ExpositionThe Exposition

Setting, Characters, Setting, Characters,

Background informationBackground information

SettingSetting

– Future – people are settling on MarsFuture – people are settling on Mars– Martian Meadow appears cold, windy Martian Meadow appears cold, windy

Conveys the mood of fear – Bitterings don’t Conveys the mood of fear – Bitterings don’t want to be therewant to be there

– Meadow also seems hollow – emptyMeadow also seems hollow – emptyBitterings feel lonely – out of placeBitterings feel lonely – out of place

This reminds me of how people feel when This reminds me of how people feel when they move to a new place.they move to a new place.

CharactersCharactersBittering FamilyBittering FamilyMr. Bittering (Harry) – protagonist – clearly – his Mr. Bittering (Harry) – protagonist – clearly – his thoughts dominate the storythoughts dominate the story– The fear and anxiety described is largely hisThe fear and anxiety described is largely his– he seems inflexible – rigid – stubbornhe seems inflexible – rigid – stubborn

Doesn’t like changeDoesn’t like change

Mrs. Bittering (Cora) Mrs. Bittering (Cora) – tries to ease her husband’s concerns – seems more tries to ease her husband’s concerns – seems more

flexibleflexible

Bittering children: Dan, Laura, DavidBittering children: Dan, Laura, David– David – David – sets up the idea that maybe there are Martians sets up the idea that maybe there are Martians

even though they can’t see themeven though they can’t see them– His ideas help convey the suspicious atmosphereHis ideas help convey the suspicious atmosphere

Background InformationBackground Information

People are settling on Mars because People are settling on Mars because of the chaos and wars on earthof the chaos and wars on earth

This should be an escape from This should be an escape from miserymisery

Inciting Incident Inciting Incident – an event that introduces the conflict– an event that introduces the conflict

Laura announces that she heard the Laura announces that she heard the news on the radio - Atom Bombs hit news on the radio - Atom Bombs hit New YorkNew York

No more rockets to MarsNo more rockets to Mars

Stranded in this new planet – fear Stranded in this new planet – fear ensuesensues

Theme question emerges:Theme question emerges:

How should people deal with How should people deal with change?change?

MetaphorMetaphor

A comparison of two unlike A comparison of two unlike thingsthings

P. 155P. 155

Mr. Bittering’s ResponseMr. Bittering’s Response

““As long as the rockets had spun a As long as the rockets had spun a silver web across pace, he had been silver web across pace, he had been able to accept Mars.”able to accept Mars.”

What is the significance of the web?What is the significance of the web?

P. 155 “work and forget”P. 155 “work and forget”

What does this mean?What does this mean?

Mental DistractionMental DistractionBittering thinks about the original names Bittering thinks about the original names of Martian mountains, cities, seas, etc…of Martian mountains, cities, seas, etc…

Why do you think the Earthmen gave new Why do you think the Earthmen gave new names?names?

What does it mean when the author tells What does it mean when the author tells us, “man lives by symbol and label.”us, “man lives by symbol and label.”

How does Bittering feel about the new How does Bittering feel about the new names?names?

The environment begins to changeThe environment begins to change

Peach blossoms – extra leafPeach blossoms – extra leaf

Onions, carrots, radishes – not quite Onions, carrots, radishes – not quite the samethe same

Roses – turning greenRoses – turning green

Cow – growing a third hornCow – growing a third horn

Grass – turning purpleGrass – turning purple

Reactions of the Bittering FamilyReactions of the Bittering Family

How does Mr. Bittering react to the How does Mr. Bittering react to the changes?changes?

How does the rest of the family How does the rest of the family react?react?

How do the other Earthmen/women How do the other Earthmen/women react to the change?react to the change?

How does Mr. Bittering respond to How does Mr. Bittering respond to their reactions? their reactions?